August 7, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – The ongoing conflict in Sudan is casting a long shadow over the country’s 2024 cereal harvest, raising alarms about food security in a nation already grappling with soaring food prices and widespread displacement, said FAO in a short report on Wednesday. “Planting of 2024 cereal crops, for harvest from November 2024, will be concluded in mid-August. Generally favourable weather conditions prevailed so far, benefiting sowing operations,” stated the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). However, the conflict’s spread to key southeastern producing areas, coupled with severe access constraints – in Sennar, White Nile, and Blue Nile states – to land and persistent shortages of agricultural inputs, is expected to significantly hinder yields. Many large-scale farm owners have been forced to flee the country, further exacerbating the situation, underscored the report. The 2023 cropping season has already been severely impacted by the conflict, resulting in a 46% decline in cereal production compared to the previous year. The government-led Annual Crop and Food Supply Assessment Mission estimates the 2023 cereal output at a mere 4.1 million tonnes, a stark 40% below the five-year average. In Sudan’s breadbasket, the Al-Jazirah Scheme, cultivation has plummeted by 72% in the Al-Manaqil …

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